Question Install Windows 11 on HDD Externally for use in new computer?

[PossesiveGamer]

Hello so I am currently in a predicament, I have built a new pc and I have tried countless times trying to get it to boot from USB to install Windows 11. Yes I have used RUFUS, Everything is in GPT format, Ive removed 1 stick of ram, Ive swapped them out, Secure Boot Enabled/Disabled, AMD fTPM is turned on, UEFI mode on BIOS, Boot order correct. But have tried booting from USB and everytime I do it will get to the first loading dot and then usb ports lose power and the computer resets because it has nothing to boot from at that point. I thought I had a brilliant idea and purchased a USB 3.0 to SATA adapter and was going to use my fiancess HP Stream and install it that way, windows doesnt support that install method. So I thought about cloning her windows OS and then putting it in my computer with a clean install, as I do as a legit product key for it I just need to get my computer to Windows first. Either that or I was thinking about using a Windows to go through RUFUS but says it doesnt support internal drives, so I dont know what to do.

My main question really would be can I clone her Windows on my drive and then just do a clean install?

If anyone has any help for me that would be great. I do not have a friend with an actual pc either to install windows that way. I just want to start stress testing and playing games on my computer.

Specs for gaming computer:
MSI B450M-A Pro MAX 2
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Stock screw in cooler
Patriot Viper Elite 2 16gb 3200MHZ
XFX SWFT 390 6700XT 12gb
Rosewill 550w
Montech X1 Mesh
WD Ultrastar 2tb HDD

 

[boju]

What did you do with Rufus to setup USB? Why not use Microsoft Media Creation tool? That'll do everything itself, formatting and preparing install files etc, no need for Rufus.

 

[PossesiveGamer]

What did you do with Rufus to setup USB? Why not use Microsoft Media Creation tool? That'll do everything itself, formatting and preparing install files etc, no need for Rufus.

I have tried that as well for Windows 11 and Windows 10. I checked a disk cloning tool though and the USB was still MBR and not GPT even with the Windows media installer files on it. Could that have been an issue? Cause it seemed to work just fine that way while trying on my fiancees laptop. I changed it in diskpart once I saw that though

 

[boju]

File system on usb doesn't matter, it's just install media. Uefi set on motherboard will determine if GPT is used for storage drive. Try another usb port on comp, usb 2. Actually try format usb stick as fat32 then try media creation tool again. Look at motherboard manual if there's a process to boot from usb, like another button besides bios key.

 

[Colif]

have you tried another USB stick? It could be the one you are using that is causing problems.

 

[SkyNetRising]

But have tried booting from USB and everytime I do it will get to the first loading dot and then usb ports lose power and the computer resets because it has nothing to boot from at that point.

That's weird behavior. Power issue?

XFX SWFT 390 6700XT 12gb
Rosewill 550w

6700XT requires 650W minimum PSU. 750W recommended.
Get appropriate PSU for your hardware.

Also check cpu temperature in BIOS. Might not have installed cpu cooler properly.

 

[PossesiveGamer]

That's weird behavior. Power issue?

6700XT requires 650W minimum PSU. 750W recommended.
Get appropriate PSU for your hardware.

Also check cpu temperature in BIOS. Might not have installed cpu cooler properly.

Im trying to upgrade my PSU rn but my fiancee wont let me since Ive already spent about 1k+ on this. And Ill try and reseat the CPU once I do that

 

[SkyNetRising]

Im trying to upgrade my PSU rn but my fiancee wont let me since Ive already spent about 1k+ on this.

Oh right.
You have that argumentative fiancee, who combats you on your every decision.
Why do you think, she does that?
(Assuming she's a she and not some nonbinary wonder of nature).

She's testing you and wants a proof, that you can make good decisions on your own,
you're confident enough in your decisions and
some emotional/illogical arguments can not and will not sway you away from them.

 

[PossesiveGamer]

Oh right.
You have that argumentative fiancee, who combats you on your every decision.
Why do you think, she does that?
(Assuming she's a she and not some nonbinary wonder of nature).

She's testing you and wants a proof, that you can make good decisions on your own,
you're confident enough in your decisions and
some emotional/illogical arguments can not and will not sway you away from them.

Yes I am, but I was able to actually find one and order it. Its an Apevia ATX-PR800W power supply. Again its used so not sure on the age of it but Im sure its still alot better then using a 550w 😂. It will take a few days to get here from New York and Im in Texas. I will update on here once it does. I had to return the USB to Sata adapter I bought though to get it and I got 40 in tips yesterday so that basically paid for it.

 

[PossesiveGamer]

have you tried another USB stick? It could be the one you are using that is causing problems.

And yea I tried multiple USB sticks as well. I kept trying to format the one drive and do it over and over again so I thought I killed it and bought another one. Once I rescued the first then well same thing happens on both sticks.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Apevia ATX-PR800W

Sadly, not a good choice.

 

[boju]

Sadly, not a good choice.

And used to boot. I don't know sometimes, you really wanna help but can only do what you can do, it's their money.

Psu tier ->

PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network

PSU Tier List will help you to choose the best PSU out of hundreds of models on the market. From budget to the highest end Power Supplies.

cultists.network

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

And used to boot. I don't know sometimes, you really wanna help but can only do what you can do, it's their money.

Psu tier ->

PSU Tier List rev. 17.0g - Cultists Network

PSU Tier List will help you to choose the best PSU out of hundreds of models on the market. From budget to the highest end Power Supplies.

cultists.network

Yeah, agree with you there for sure.

Lets hope it holds out for the OP.

 

[Sam Hobbs]

Your title says HDD Externally and that implies you are attempting to install to a drive that is external. I assume that the drive you are installing to is internal and the USB drive is external.

If the Windows boot software was installed onto the USB drive using the official procedure that Microsoft provides then it does seem to be a hardware problem.

For diagnostic purposes, you can try booting Linux. Just to determine if that works.

 

[PossesiveGamer]

Your title says HDD Externally and that implies you are attempting to install to a drive that is external. I assume that the drive you are installing to is internal and the USB drive is external.

If the Windows boot software was installed onto the USB drive using the official procedure that Microsoft provides then it does seem to be a hardware problem.

For diagnostic purposes, you can try booting Linux. Just to determine if that works.

I have tried Linux Cinnamon Mint, ArchLinux, Debian and still nothing same issue.